HARRY, with some friends, was off for a holiday. For some time he had looked forward to that excursion: Like many others, he did not care to think of God, or the Lord Jesus Christ; he thought only of the place to which they were going, and of the enjoyment before them; and that without God.
When near P. station the train suddenly stopped; the signal was up, the line was not clear; but there was another reason—God was watching over Harry.
A servant of the Lord, living near to the railway, had had a board with the words,
“Prepare to meet thy God” painted upon it, fixed to the wall of his house, so that passers by could read them.
The coach in which Harry and his companions were, stopped just opposite the board; lie read these words again and again; it was God’s message to him. He asked himself whether he was prepared to meet God.
Reader, are you prepared?
Harry had often heard the way of salvation. Yes, he knew all about Jesus dying on the cross—of God’s love to this world; but he was afraid to meet God. For some days he tried to forget the solemn sentence, but no he could not.
During that holiday they went out for a trip on the sea. A storm came on, the sea became rough, the wind raged around, the waves dashed against the cabin windows, the boat tossed up and down, and rolled from side to side. Harry thought, if they should perish, how could he meet God; what about, all his sins? They troubled him now as never before. Prayers he knew could not save him: in a moment it might be too late.
The boat returned to land in safety, and Harry rejoined his friends; but now the one question ever before him was, what could put away his sins? He searched his Bible for the scriptures he had often repeated at school; and ere long, saw by faith that the blood of Jesus washed them all away. How precious was that word to him.
All, like Harry, are by nature unfit for God’s holy presence, so Jesus “came to save that which was lost” (Matt. 18:1111For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. (Matthew 18:11)).
What joy it was to Harry to find that Jesus had done all for him. He is prepared to meet God now! and is looking for Jesus to come, that he may go to that place prepared for all who trust Him. (John 14:1-61Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 5Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:1‑6))
My dear young friend, Are you prepared to meet Jesus? Should He come today, are you ready to meet Him? Will you be glad to see Him?
ML-08/25/1935